Nechelyustovite is a rare member of the labuntsovite group typically found as yellowish-brown prismatic crystals or radial clusters. It is primarily known from the alkaline pegmatites of the Khibiny Massif in Russia, where it forms in association with other rare alkaline minerals.
Is this nechelyustovite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch nechelyustovite with a known reference. Nechelyustovite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly, or silvery.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: creamy, grayish, bluish, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: rosette.
Often confused with
Nechelyustovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nechelyustovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nechelyustovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na□)□₂Ba₄Ti₄Nb₄(Na₁₁□)Ti₄(Si₂O₇)₈O₈(OH)₈(H₂O)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.32-3.42 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly, or silvery
- Transparency
- Translucent to transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Rosette
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001} and good on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- From the natrolite core of hydrothermally altered pegmatite emplaced in nepheline syenites near their contact with ijolite-urtites
Where rockhounds find nechelyustovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kirovskii Mine, Mt. Kukisvumchorr
- Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: From the natrolite core of hydrothermally altered pegmatite emplaced in nepheline syenites near their contact with ijolite-urtites. If you start seeing natrolite, belovite-, gaidonnayite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nechelyustovite?+
Where is nechelyustovite found?+
What rocks look like nechelyustovite?+
What minerals are found with nechelyustovite?+
What kind of rock does nechelyustovite form in?+
What is nechelyustovite used for?+
Find nechelyustovite on the map
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